Looking for more information on the 6T80 transaxle, specifically its AWD capability. How does the AWD work with the 6T80 transaxle (as on the LF3 MHM platform)? On the FWD versions, the engine and transaxle are transverse. With the AWD version, is the transaxle mounted longitudinal rather than transverse, where outputs and half shafts become drive shafts to the differentials? If not, how does the transverse transaxle shafts connect to the front and rear differentials?

What are we working on?

The 6T80 is the sturdier version of the 6T70 and 6T75 transaxles designed for use only in the Cadillac XTS. The 6T70 and 6T75 are used in over a decade of FWD-based vehicles like the Acadia, Outlook, Traverse, Enclave, Impala, and a bunch of other GM vehicles. The 6T70, 6T75, and 6T80 are very very close relatives of the Ford 6F50 and 6F55 transaxles that can be found in over a decade of Ford vehicles like the Edge, Flex, MKX, Explorer, Taurus, Interceptor Sedan, Interceptor Utility, a bunch of other Ford vehicles, and even a Mazda.

There is a transfer case on the back of the transmission that turns a drive shaft all the time, proportional to the front differential speed. This drive shaft is what delivers a portion of available power to the rear differential when needed.

Yes.

No. Still mounted transverse. To my knowledge there are no transmissions ever built that can be installed transverse and longitudinal like that under the same model number and design . . . at least not from any mainstream manufacturer.

The front differential is built into the transaxle, just like in the same transaxle in a FWD vehicle. The transfer case on the back of the AWD version of the transmission turns a drive shaft all the time, proportional to the front differential speed. This drive shaft is what delivers a portion of available power to the rear differential when needed. Most of the time the drive shaft is turning at the same speed as the input side of the rear differential. In the occasions that the drive shaft turns faster than the rear differential would have it turn due to slipping of the front wheels, clutches are applied to send some of the drive shaft'* power to the rear wheels.